Editor's note

By Carrie McLeroySeptember 24, 2010

WE have received several letters about the poems and artwork published as part of "Wartime Poetry," in the May issue of Soldiers.

The poems and artwork, some of which were submitted anonymously, were part of a writing competition hosted by the Fort Wainwright, Alaska, post library; the contest was open to Soldiers and their Families.

Three pieces were chosen to represent different elements of war: expression of creativity while in the field, the pain of missing a loved one, and honoring the memory of fallen friends.

Two submissions in particular have sparked interest among our readers.

The first, the poem "Fallen Soldier," honors the memory of two Soldiers who were killed within days of arriving at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, in 2008. The piece was written by Sgt. 1st Class Andre Anderson of 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment (attached to the Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, when the poem was written).

The other, a sketch that accompanied the poem "Hold On," has inspired readers from Afghanistan to Italy to Fort Bragg, N.C. The Soldier, who remains anonymous, was serving at FOB Warhorse as well when he wrote the piece and sketched the drawing. The only information attached was a simple statement: "Missing you."

While we don't know his name, the following letters represent just a few examples of the many letters and e-mails we've received about his artwork.

Carrie McLeroy

Editor in chief